Luc Richard Mbah a Moute

Luc Richard Mbah a Moute is entering his seventh season in the NBA and his first with the 76ers. He began last season with the Kings but was traded early in the season to the Timberwolves. With the Timberwolves, he averaged 3.3 points, 2.2 rebounds, 0.4 assists, 0.4 steals, ...

Mbah a Moute swapped one crowded depth chart for another this offseason when he came from Milwaukee to Sacramento. Last season as a Buck, even when healthy Mbah a Moute played fewer minutes than he had in any of his previous four seasons, and his numbers fell accordingly. This year, however, he looks to have the edge over Salmons in the battle for small forward. Even if he loses the starting spot, Mbah a Moute should play more than last year, and has a reasonable shot at setting a career high for minutes. But Mbah a Moute is one of those better-in-real-life-than-fantasy players, and needs to improve more than just his minutes totals in order to be valuable in all but the deepest of leagues.

2012-13

The Bucks’ best perimeter defender, Mbah a Moute will often be counted on to guard the opponent’s top scorer. Unfortunately for Mbah a Moute and the Bucks, it’s looking like he will miss the beginning of the season due to a knee injury. Mbah a Moute is primarily counted on for his defense, so don’t expect much from him on the offensive end. However, he could see a bump in value at some point during the season if he is able to snag the starting small forward role when healthy.

2011-12

Mbah a Moute is slated to open the season as the Bucks’ starting power forward. The Nuggets signed the restricted free agent to a four-year, $18.7 million offer sheet in December, but the Bucks’ decision to match the deal indicates they think he will be a key player for them in the coming seasons, including this one. Despite his value to the team, especially on the defensive end, Mbah a Moute will probably only average around 30 minutes per game in the Bucks’ crowded frontcourt; and though he is improving offensively, he has averaged just 6.7 ppg in his career. Mbah a Moute is an intriguing player, but he’s only average in the fantasy world.

2010-11

The Cameroonian prince has quietly become one of the best on-ball defenders in the NBA, capable of guarding anyone from speedy point guards to athletic wings to physical power forwards. However, for all his defense prowess, he's about as limited as they come offensively, and the Bucks' offseason additions at forward will likely cut into Mbah a Moute's playing time. He's much more valuable in real life than in fantasy.

2009-10

Mbah a Moute surprised many by playing such a large role for the Bucks last season, starting 52 games for the injury-depleted team. Mbah a Moute is a big 6-8, 230 pound wing that has only average athleticism and plays a style of game without huge upside. On the other hand, he was very consistent for a rookie with meager but reasonable averages of seven points, six boards, an assist and a steal in 26 minutes of play. Now that he is more used to the rigors of the NBA it is not unreasonable to think that he could average near a double-double if he plays sufficient minutes as a sophomore, but his lack of three-point range or any other peripheral contribution limits his upside. The Bucks are a team in flux and Mbah a Moute seems more a starter by default than a future cornerstone, but he is still worth keeping an eye on if he keeps getting minutes.